Former Indian batsman Ajinkya Rahane has expressed concern over Team India’s recent Test cricket defeats, highlighting the need of holding onto knowledge at a period of transition. The recently retired cricket player also underlined the need of cultivating players with the temperament and mindset required to succeed in the longest format.
India has had a difficult run in Test cricket, despite significant success in white-ball cricket under head coach Gautam Gambhir. Although the Men in Blue have won two ICC white-ball titles in the last two years, their red-ball performance has been inconsistent, with two home series whitewashes casting doubt on the team’s future.
Ajinkya Rahane stated that it has been difficult to see the squad struggle from the sidelines in light of India’s recent Test failures.
“I’ve been sitting at home watching the Indian side lose matches, even in India, since I haven’t played Test cricket for the past two years. Test cricket, in my opinion, requires character. You must play competitive cricket and develop such qualities. That’s what matters. playing out a session. Few teams actually do that. On the Stick to Cricket podcast, he stated, “You want to see people play out those tough sessions, but I don’t want to pinpoint any team.”
Additionally, Ajinkya Rahane talked about his relationship with Gambhir and underlined what he believes is the secret to success in Test cricket.
“I’ve played with Gambhir.” When he was the coach, I wasn’t with KKR. He was the coach, although I never played for him. When we first arrived in England and even in India, we played together. However, I believe that Test cricket is always about playing sessions and persevering through difficult times.
Ajinkya Rahane: Two to three younger players and seven to eight experienced players are needed for Test cricket.
Ajinkya Rahane also emphasised how rapidly India’s Test squad evolved following the departure of important players like Ravichandran Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli. The veteran batter says that the current squad lacks the experience necessary to guide younger players through challenging situations.
“Fans of test cricket are true cricket enthusiasts. I still believe that Test cricket needs two to three younger players and seven to eight veteran players, aside from the last two years when fresh players entered the game. As of right now, every player is genuinely new. There are very few senior cricket players left. Test cricket thus requires that,” Rahane continued.
The Mumbai hitter continued by saying that he is worried about the future of the format if teams are unable to maintain the right ratio of youth to experience.
To be honest, I do have a phobia of Test cricket. Because of the current state of affairs, all of us—India, England, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa—want Test cricket to endure. especially these 4-5 teams. Because of what I’ve witnessed over the past two to three years, you need to appreciate and retain the senior players, particularly because the Indian team’s problem has been all of the senior players leaving out at once.
India and Sri Lanka’s next two-match Test series will begin in Galle on August 15.
